– I trust you.

– Then tell me what is in the tower of the west wing at the very top?

– Soon you will find out about everything, I promise you. Until then, that's all! You are free.

***

– Good morning, Athanasius!

– Hi, General! he mumbled barely audibly.

– You look lousy.

– I feel even worse.

– Hmm, who would have thought that Prince Argos is so good. The general sat down next to Athanasius's bed.

–“It's not just him,” Tan replied.

– What are you talking about?

– His armor …

– And what happened to him?

– I hit him. He beat with all his might. No armor could stand that.

– What do you mean by that?

– I don’t know yet.

– What do you mean, “I don’t know yet” !? AND?! Swann got angry. All! The page is turned over. The story is over. He won, the general said with annoyance!

– It's him.

– Who is he"?

“King Orme, this is the bastard who slaughtered the people of my village.

– Stop it, Athanasius. You're delirious. You got it a lot, it's understandable, but you can't …

– General! Tan interrupted him. This face comes to me in dreams for 30 years. I know him by heart and will not confuse nickname with anyone else. It's him!

– Your mother! Swann said helplessly, lowering his eyes to the floor. And after a few seconds he said: Don't tell anyone about this, you hear! Nobody should know about our speech. The general whispered in a conspiratorial tone. Your words undermine twenty years of peace between our states, you understand that ?! – Rest for now. I need to consult.

***

Tan woke up as usual in the morning. There had been no news from Swann for a couple of days. During this time, his body got stronger. As the hospital attendants said, good heredity, everything heals quickly like a dog. However, the Tan was still moving with caution, without sudden movements. The bruised ribs made themselves felt. He was in a separate room. General Swann took care of this, therefore, the nightmares that tormented his soul at night and his early awakening did not disturb anyone. Approaching the window opening and opening it, he looked at the sleeping city. All these days, only one thought occupied his head: – Retribution will find everyone.

At that moment, he heard someone sneak up to the door of his room. Athanasius, despite the pain, like a cat, silently approached the door and stood next to it, pressing himself against the wall. The door opened slightly and a figure of a man in a dark cloak and a hood on his head entered the room. Without hesitation, he rushed at him, grabbing his clothes, but immediately got a trip and they both fell to the floor. The hood fell off my head. Beneath him was the same maid from the duke's house.

– You?! Athanasius was surprised. What are you doing here!?

– They want to talk to you. This is urgent. She answered with excitement in her voice.

– About what!? Who are you? What's going on here?

After a little delay, she said with regret: – General Swann is dead.

He did not immediately understand the meaning of her words. – What?

– My name is Una, and we have no time. They're coming for you!

And as soon as she uttered these words, suddenly they heard the clatter of hooves and a rude male speech outside the window. Athanasius quietly crept to the window and, looking out of the corner, began to inspect the area near the hospital. There were ten well-equipped fighters. Their eldest waved his arms and showed various directions, where one soldier later fled. With the others, he went to the hospital entrance.

Tan realized that most likely the girl was not joking, and if this was not an idiotic coincidence, he was the target of the soldiers.